Match-fixing suspicion: ICC suspends Sri Lankan curator for 3 years

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced suspension of Galle International Stadium curator Jayananda Warnaweera for three years for failing to cooperate with the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) in an ongoing investigation, said to be related to match-fixing.

“Mr Warnaweera was charged with an offence under Article 2.4.6 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, which relates to “failing, without compelling justification, to cooperate with any reasonable investigation carried out by the ACU in relation to possible breaches of the Anti-Corruption Code, including failure to provide information and/or documentation requested by the ACU that may be relevant to such investigation,” ICC said in a statement.

“In particular, Mr Warnaweera failed, on two separate occasions, to attend a scheduled interview with the ACU in relation to an ongoing investigation and failed to provide documents required from him in connection with the investigation pursuant to a Demand issued under Article 4.3 of the Code,” it said.

The ICC said that Warnaweera also failed to respond in any manner to the charge and, pursuant to Article 4.8.1 of the Code, he is consequently deemed to have accepted that he committed the offence charged, waived his right to a hearing, and acceded to the imposition of a sanction within the range specified in the Code.

“The ICC takes no pleasure in imposing a suspension, but this decision clearly illustrates what the Code means to the ICC and how seriously we take matters that relate to corruption. It should also act as a reminder to Participants of the need to comply with their obligations under the Code. The ICC has a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and it will not hesitate in taking such decisions in its endeavor to eliminate this menace from the sport,” said Sir Ronnie Flanagan, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Unit.

A copy of the decision issued by the ICC imposing the sanction can be found here.

ICC said Sri Lanka Cricket has been informed of the decision.

All breaches of Articles 2.4.1 to 2.4.6 carry a minimum suspension of six months and a maximum of five years.

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